STAGE FRIGHT

A good evening’s entertainment, with an intriguing script and plotline, which had the audience guessing.  We were given some background to the case, then clues and references during the play, so that we could try and give our thoughts on whether indeed it was a murder or a prank gone wrong.  I must admit my thoughts were way off the mark, but I enjoyed the interaction, and the sheet given out at the interval to try and point us in the right direction was well constructed. 

The set was simple, which lent itself well to the twists and turns of the plot.  Costumes worked well for each character, and created some colour and interest to the general proceedings.

Lighting was suitable for the play, and whilst I am not a fan of blackouts, I appreciate some were needed to distinguish a change of time etc.  Sound was good throughout, as cast were mic’d.

I liked the reveal of the hanged actor, Stephen, it was a surprise, very well-managed with an excellent set manoeuvre.

I noted the fact that there were several last minute cast replacements due to illness etc, but this did not show in the overall production - well done to everyone for integrating so neatly.

I liked the dynamic of the police quartet – the world-weary DI Birch (Wendy Bywaters), who was happy to lave everything to her younger team, with just an occasional note.  The go-getter DC Spiller (Anais Nethersole), full of insights, energy and resolutions.  The slightly sardonic DC Mould (Jonathan Goodson), who gave the impression he could sit back and let everyone else do the work, and the young, enthusiastic DC Jenkins (Matt Sculfor), determined to get as much information as he could, to secure his undoubted place in the team.

The theatre team who were blighted by several untimely and unfortunate deaths, gave us diversity in their portrayals, which was good.  Felicity Collingwood (Jan Bath), gave us a strong performance as the show’s Producer which I enjoyed, whilst Hannah Carey (Dee Denehan) was the Bar Manager with a definite twinkle in her eye for DC Jenkins!!

Richard Miles (Jake Creighton) was the romantic lead, brought in over Stephen the murdered actor, to star, a good portrayal and nice interaction with Maddy Norton (Isabel Ruis), a good pairing, I liked Maddy’s range of emotions throughout, well done.

Alun Broadwick (Barry Pain) created a taciturn Director, who gave the impression he just said everything as it was – and reserved his talents for his actors. Jessie Broadwick (Erin Thorne) was very bright as Alun’s daughter, working in the bar and lending her artistic talents to DC Jenkins, a good addition to the dynamic of the cast, and I enjoyed her musical number, which was well-sung, and had a lovely accompaniment.

Doug Waites (David Soper) created a good character, probably the nicest, most relatable person in the play, with Bobbie Vernsrice (Louise Treleaven) creating a suitably vague, but slightly fey writer of a play that has never been seen in public, so all is basically hearsay, which gave it another tangent to go off in!! 

I felt the first scene lacked a bit of pace, but generally was good thereafter, although there were some late pick-ups on occasion.

Overall a nicely imagined play, with some good performances.  Perhaps slightly unclear where the murders/pranks were going, but intriguing nonetheless.

My thanks to CADS for their hospitality, good to meet up with Society members again, and I will look forward to their next production.

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